RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia by quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of C-polysaccharide antigen.
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 749
OP 751
DO 10.1136/jcp.47.8.749
VO 47
IS 8
A1 Gillespie, S H
A1 Smith, M D
A1 Dickens, A
A1 Raynes, J G
A1 McAdam, K P
YR 1994
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/47/8/749.abstract
AB AIMS--To evaluate the use of a quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detecting C-polysaccharide (PnC) antigen in sputum for the diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. METHODS--Specimens of sputum from 60 patients with acute community and hospital acquired pneumonia and infective exacerbations of obstructive airways disease were examined by semiquantitative culture and antigen ELISA. RESULTS--Using a cutoff value of 1 microgram/ml PnC antigen for a positive result, the sensitivity of this assay was 90.3%, specificity 93.1%, predictive value of a positive result was 93.5%, and the predictive value of a negative result 89.6%. CONCLUSIONS--Quantitation of C-polysaccharide antigen in sputum by ELISA distinguishes between carriage of oral bacteria which express PnC-like antigen and infection with S pneumoniae and compares favourably with other diagnostic methods.